Ekaterina Makarova booked her place in the final of the Pattaya Open with a 6-3 0-6 6-4 victory over Andrea Hlavackova.

Last Updated: 01/02/14 6:54pm

Ekaterina Makarova: Looking to secure the second singles title of her WTA career

Russian Makarova, who has only previously claimed one WTA Tour title, in Eastbourne in 2010, overcame a second-set wobble to advance in Thailand.

Just like in the first set, she claimed an early break in the decider before hanging on to the slender advantage.

After failing to win any of three match points on her opponent's serve at 5-3, Makarova finally claimed victory at the fourth attempt.

"The best part of my game is that I was fighting," she said afterwards. "She's playing so aggressive, so flat. It was difficult to return because she was serving so good today.

"At the end of the second set I was so angry because here I'd already played two matches in three sets and I really wanted to finish it in two sets. But she played amazing all that set and it was difficult to do anything."

Pliskova progresses

Makarova will next face the unseeded Karolina Pliskova, who herself came through in three sets.

The Czech eventually saw off Germany's Julia Goerges, who hammered down 16 aces in a losing cause, by a 6-3 4-6 6-3 scoreline.

Pliskova managed 13 aces of her own and after breaking for a second time in the third set to move 4-2 ahead, she duly served out the match to love.

"There weren't any rallies because we were both serving well and we have similar games, so it was tough," she said. "In the second set she was serving really well. I almost couldn't do anything. I tried to stay calm and play my game and wait for my chance."